Boat transport Michigan to California

[badluck]

Who’s the go to? Looking at purchasing a boat in Michigan (Fenton). What’s the going rate? I believe it’s 2500 miles. It’s a 5000lb 22’ boat plus trailer.
Thanks

 

[svlperry]

@Outlaw Boat Transport

 

[bocco]

I just went through this exercise getting my boat shipped from Stockton CA to York, SC. This was not just a boat purchase, but a full cross country move and boat would probably arrive before I would.

My first call was to Outlaw Transport. I forget the guy's name but he was great and very informative. They are probably the most expensive but also the most legit and well insured. I think he quoted $3.00 per mile. He was going to tow my trailer behind one of their pickups. The Caveat was that my trailer tires had to be less than 3 years old. Mine were at about 4 years. He was also nice enough to give me advise if I just wanted tow it myself. Which I didn't.

Next, I talked to Tim at Moto shippers. He quoted $2.00 per mile to my boat and trailer on a flat bed. My plan was to go with that. About 2 weeks from my final date he informed me that his drivers didn't think they could load my boat onto a flatbed due to the prop guard spacing. The options were to forklift it onto the flat bed. And then get it forklifted off a boat dealer where I could pick it up or he had a driver that would tow my trailer cross country. This would cost $3800 instead of $5200. At this point it seemed like my only option other than towing it myself.

Later that day I got a call from an independent driver. Her name was Brooke. She said she was somewhere in AZ and could meet me in Stockton at my boat storage the next day. So on a Thursday I headed up to meet her. My boat was already shrink wrapped and she had her truck (not an F150) backed up to my trailer. We chatted for a while. She planned to spend the night in Kingman and deliver the boat late Sunday or Monday. My sister-in-law was going to meet her. I was a little nervous about handing my boat and a pile of cash to someone I knew little about. Well, she nailed it. She sent texts and pictures along the way Even a pic of the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. On Sunday afternoon she delivered the boat and backed it right into the shop on my father in laws property. When I arrived 2 weeks later there it was locked up tight in the shop. Overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Her name is Brooke McCumber 616-799-1726 and she actually lives in Michigan. She could be a good option. Also, she mostly sleeps in her truck at truck stops so your boat is not unattended for long.

 

[badluck]

I just went through this exercise getting my boat shipped from Stockton CA to York, SC. This was not just a boat purchase, but a full cross country move and boat would probably arrive before I would.

My first call was to Outlaw Transport. I forget the guy's name but he was great and very informative. They are probably the most expensive but also the most legit and well insured. I think he quoted $3.00 per mile. He was going to tow my trailer behind one of their pickups. The Caveat was that my trailer tires had to be less than 3 years old. Mine were at about 4 years. He was also nice enough to give me advise if I just wanted tow it myself. Which I didn't.

Next, I talked to Tim at Moto shippers. He quoted $2.00 per mile to my boat and trailer on a flat bed. My plan was to go with that. About 2 weeks from my final date he informed me that his drivers didn't think they could load my boat onto a flatbed due to the prop guard spacing. The options were to forklift it onto the flat bed. And then get it forklifted off a boat dealer where I could pick it up or he had a driver that would tow my trailer cross country. This would cost $3800 instead of $5200. At this point it seemed like my only option other than towing it myself.

Later that day I got a call from an independent driver. Her name was Brooke. She said she was somewhere in AZ and could meet me in Stockton at my boat storage the next day. So on a Thursday I headed up to meet her. My boat was already shrink wrapped and she had her truck (not an F150) backed up to my trailer. We chatted for a while. She planned to spend the night in Kingman and deliver the boat late Sunday or Monday. My sister-in-law was going to meet her. I was a little nervous about handing my boat and a pile of cash to someone I knew little about. Well, she nailed it. She sent texts and pictures along the way Even a pic of the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. On Sunday afternoon she delivered the boat and backed it right into the shop on my father in laws property. When I arrived 2 weeks later there it was locked up tight in the shop. Overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Her name is Brooke McCumber 616-799-1726 and she actually lives in Michigan. She could be a good option. Also, she mostly sleeps in her truck at truck stops so your boat is not unattended for long.

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I’m definitely going to call her today. How was her price?

 

[toto]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I’m definitely going to call her today. How was her price?

I have alwayed used Outlaw but it has only been From California, AZ and Texas. I tried 2 other companies and something always happens on way or another and you get what you pay for. Like Bocco said Oulaw is not cheap but is very informative and specializes in boat transportation and does it very good. He pays attention to the Trailer, Tires, Boat during the entire haul and will adjust anything needed as it moves and will not leave the boat or you hanging if something happens. My last trip was hauling my boat from DCB right before they moved from El Cajon and half way through the desert one of the axles shit the bed. He called me with several options already and had already reached out to several trailer companies as he sat on the side of the road in nowhere ville AZ. We get a axle from Adrenaline hauled down and Outlaw already found a Tire / Car shop and had bribed the owner to stay late, remove the old axle etc so it was ready first thing in the morning. Outlaw is at the shop with coffee and doughnuts the next morning as they open and get everything swap and back on the road. Good Shit, Good People and when hauling your precious baby LOL I wouldn't trust anyone else especially on a run that far. Good luck with your move

 

[Singleton]

I just went through this exercise getting my boat shipped from Stockton CA to York, SC. This was not just a boat purchase, but a full cross country move and boat would probably arrive before I would.

My first call was to Outlaw Transport. I forget the guy's name but he was great and very informative. They are probably the most expensive but also the most legit and well insured. I think he quoted $3.00 per mile. He was going to tow my trailer behind one of their pickups. The Caveat was that my trailer tires had to be less than 3 years old. Mine were at about 4 years. He was also nice enough to give me advise if I just wanted tow it myself. Which I didn't.

Next, I talked to Tim at Moto shippers. He quoted $2.00 per mile to my boat and trailer on a flat bed. My plan was to go with that. About 2 weeks from my final date he informed me that his drivers didn't think they could load my boat onto a flatbed due to the prop guard spacing. The options were to forklift it onto the flat bed. And then get it forklifted off a boat dealer where I could pick it up or he had a driver that would tow my trailer cross country. This would cost $3800 instead of $5200. At this point it seemed like my only option other than towing it myself.

Later that day I got a call from an independent driver. Her name was Brooke. She said she was somewhere in AZ and could meet me in Stockton at my boat storage the next day. So on a Thursday I headed up to meet her. My boat was already shrink wrapped and she had her truck (not an F150) backed up to my trailer. We chatted for a while. She planned to spend the night in Kingman and deliver the boat late Sunday or Monday. My sister-in-law was going to meet her. I was a little nervous about handing my boat and a pile of cash to someone I knew little about. Well, she nailed it. She sent texts and pictures along the way Even a pic of the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. On Sunday afternoon she delivered the boat and backed it right into the shop on my father in laws property. When I arrived 2 weeks later there it was locked up tight in the shop. Overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Her name is Brooke McCumber 616-799-1726 and she actually lives in Michigan. She could be a good option. Also, she mostly sleeps in her truck at truck stops so your boat is not unattended for long.

Sounds like you got someone that can drive, BUT no way in hell a commercial driver gets from CA to SC in under 3 days. Leave Thursday afternoon, arrive Monday. She broke every CDL rule about on/off time IMO.

 

[Andy B.]

Sounds like you got someone that can drive, BUT no way in hell a commercial driver gets from CA to SC in under 3 days. Leave Thursday afternoon, arrive Monday. She broke every CDL rule about on/off time IMO.

I doubt she has a class A or a registered dot #.
But I'm probably wrong lol

 

[X-rated]

Put an Airtag in it before it leaves! you can thank me later

 

[petie6464]

So glad to be away for trucking. Many don't know trucking is at a all time low. Trucking is supply and demand driven, really nothing else.

Insurance, fuel and overall operating cost has sored massively, yet freight rates have and to to this day continue to decline, all related the weak economy AND as in every election year.. it sucks.

Trucking is one of the only businesses that the customer for the most part tells you what you will be paid.

Now a boat being pulled behind a pick up.. For starters is 99.99% a unlicensed scab that has no DOT#/MC#, commercial insurance, commercial license, IFTA license, IRP registration, URC permit, a New Mexico trip permit or anual permit, (No they are not part of IFTA just like Oregon and Kentucky.) For that matter I would bet they don't even have a clue.

Accident= You're SOL and probably will be named in any litigation.

I would say you could ship a boat on a flatbed big truck with a legitimate carrier for $.50-.70/mile. Today easily.

It's sickening but that's the world we live in..

 

[welldigger00]

This^^^^^^^^^. Dead on. I’m still out here dodging hodgies on the daily for zero money.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

A lot of people will say they don't have the time for a road trip. I say the memories you make are priceless. I just towed about 4K miles to LOTO and back and before that, drove almost 5K miles to Michigan to get my 271 Formula. Got to see amazing country side and also sea trial the boat in the Detroit River which was pretty cool.

Go fetch that thing yourself!

 

[wallnutz]

I just went through this exercise getting my boat shipped from Stockton CA to York, SC. This was not just a boat purchase, but a full cross country move and boat would probably arrive before I would.

My first call was to Outlaw Transport. I forget the guy's name but he was great and very informative. They are probably the most expensive but also the most legit and well insured. I think he quoted $3.00 per mile. He was going to tow my trailer behind one of their pickups. The Caveat was that my trailer tires had to be less than 3 years old. Mine were at about 4 years. He was also nice enough to give me advise if I just wanted tow it myself. Which I didn't.

Next, I talked to Tim at Moto shippers. He quoted $2.00 per mile to my boat and trailer on a flat bed. My plan was to go with that. About 2 weeks from my final date he informed me that his drivers didn't think they could load my boat onto a flatbed due to the prop guard spacing. The options were to forklift it onto the flat bed. And then get it forklifted off a boat dealer where I could pick it up or he had a driver that would tow my trailer cross country. This would cost $3800 instead of $5200. At this point it seemed like my only option other than towing it myself.

Later that day I got a call from an independent driver. Her name was Brooke. She said she was somewhere in AZ and could meet me in Stockton at my boat storage the next day. So on a Thursday I headed up to meet her. My boat was already shrink wrapped and she had her truck (not an F150) backed up to my trailer. We chatted for a while. She planned to spend the night in Kingman and deliver the boat late Sunday or Monday. My sister-in-law was going to meet her. I was a little nervous about handing my boat and a pile of cash to someone I knew little about. Well, she nailed it. She sent texts and pictures along the way Even a pic of the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. On Sunday afternoon she delivered the boat and backed it right into the shop on my father in laws property. When I arrived 2 weeks later there it was locked up tight in the shop. Overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Her name is Brooke McCumber 616-799-1726 and she actually lives in Michigan. She could be a good option. Also, she mostly sleeps in her truck at truck stops so your boat is not unattended for long.

Any pictures of Brooke?

 

[Jefftowz]

When choosing a transporter cheaper is definitely not better.

 

[bocco]

Sounds like you got someone that can drive, BUT no way in hell a commercial driver gets from CA to SC in under 3 days. Leave Thursday afternoon, arrive Monday. She broke every CDL rule about on/off time IMO.

Probably right. But it worked OK for me. If I have to do it again, I might plan ahead better to make sure the boat gets on a flatbed trailer.

 

[lakemadness]

Do you want it to end up in wood chipper?

 

[badluck]

Brooke was probably reasonably priced but definitely more than I’d hoped. Might be doing a road trip. Anyone know if I can rent a pickup from Avis or similar airport rental and take it to Ca. Thinking of flying out and picking up a rental to haul it back to Ca
Thoughts?

 

[Starloans]

Man, you guys are tough.

This info comes up under her name and phone #.

US DOT 4268005​

Twisted Route Transport Llc​

Appears to have an active and good standing SAFER report if I read it right.

Looks like she possibly rolls or works with a spouse.

Looks like a new company but looks legit.

I would give her a look if I needed something moved.

 

[Hoodoo]

I would say you could ship a boat on a flatbed big truck with a legitimate carrier for $.50-.70/mile. Today easily.

It's sickening but that's the world we live in..

Rates are down?
What am I missing here?? The last flatbed load I did was 4 yrs ago…..8k FL to Idaho, previous load 7 yrs ago….5k
We ship 65-70 reefer loads each sept/oct from Idaho to FL, mostly 10k-12k. Similar loads from Redding to FL mostly 12k - 14k.

 

[bocco]

Brooke was probably reasonably priced but definitely more than I’d hoped. Might be doing a road trip. Anyone know if I can rent a pickup from Avis or similar airport rental and take it to Ca. Thinking of flying out and picking up a rental to haul it back to Ca
Thoughts?

Don't forget to calculate hotels and meals into the cost of the trip when comparing.

 

[JFMFG]

Rates are down?
What am I missing here?? The last flatbed load I did was 4 yrs ago…..8k FL to Idaho, previous load 7 yrs ago….5k
We ship 65-70 reefer loads each sept/oct from Idaho to FL, mostly 10k-12k. Similar loads from Redding to FL mostly 12k - 14k.

Yes some rates are down. Depends on the carrier you use. Xpo and abf are still holding high.

 

[badluck]

I was hoping to be about a dollar a mile.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I was hoping to be about a dollar a mile.

Never going to happen. Those days are long gone.

 

[badluck]

I’ve been looking into renting a truck to tow it back and make a road trip out of it. Unfortunately it’s impossible to rent a pickup to tow with for a one way. Closest I’ve found was a 12’ U-Haul box truck that gets 12 mpg empty for 1700$

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

I’ve been looking into renting a truck to tow it back and make a road trip out of it. Unfortunately it’s impossible to rent a pickup to tow with for a one way. Closest I’ve found was a 12’ U-Haul box truck that gets 12 mpg empty for 1700$

What about the $19.96 a day pickup and just drive it there and tow back?

 

[HST4ME]

Bit too far of a haul for me, and I'd have to figure out how to bring one of my boats along

 

[welldigger00]

My buddy @alohajeff and I picked his spectra up in northern Idaho. We flew up planning on renting a pickup truck to pull it home. None of the rentals had a receiver on any of their trucks. So, we ended up renting a suburban, it had a receiver on it. Might check into that. plan b was to go to uhaul and have them install one. Food for thought…

 

[RiverDave]

I think people doing this without asking for proof of insurance etc are insane.. if something happens you’re screwed..

Hell if they even get pulled over and they don’t have the right stuff they can impound the boat (happened recently to one of the ballers that paid a random to drive).

RD

 

[DarkJuJu]

I’ve been looking into renting a truck to tow it back and make a road trip out of it. Unfortunately it’s impossible to rent a pickup to tow with for a one way. Closest I’ve found was a 12’ U-Haul box truck that gets 12 mpg empty for 1700$

Just a heads up those 12' U-Haul units have a fixed hitch, 2" I believe and if you tell them your going to tow with it they want to know what your towing. Also no trailer brakes.

 

[HST4ME]

I've done a lot from Florida and the South East back to Michigan, but I'm kinda burnt out on it. I have a couple buddies I can ask, we live about an hour north of Fenton.

 

[Gone_Flat]

Contact sammy fey he’ll transport that no problem

 

[82daytona]

What about Dougie bear? He’s still around.

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

Sounds like you got someone that can drive, BUT no way in hell a commercial driver gets from CA to SC in under 3 days. Leave Thursday afternoon, arrive Monday. She broke every CDL rule about on/off time IMO.

you made me laugh

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

So glad to be away for trucking. Many don't know trucking is at a all time low. Trucking is supply and demand driven, really nothing else.

Insurance, fuel and overall operating cost has sored massively, yet freight rates have and to to this day continue to decline, all related the weak economy AND as in every election year.. it sucks.

Trucking is one of the only businesses that the customer for the most part tells you what you will be paid.

Now a boat being pulled behind a pick up.. For starters is 99.99% a unlicensed scab that has no DOT#/MC#, commercial insurance, commercial license, IFTA license, IRP registration, URC permit, a New Mexico trip permit or anual permit, (No they are not part of IFTA just like Oregon and Kentucky.) For that matter I would bet they don't even have a clue.

Accident= You're SOL and probably will be named in any litigation.

I would say you could ship a boat on a flatbed big truck with a legitimate carrier for $.50-.70/mile. Today easily.

It's sickening but that's the world we live in..

my pickup trucks all have IFTA and DOT/MC numbers

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

Do you want it to end up in wood chipper?

funny its a shame you don't know the real story

 

[badluck]

Thank you guys for the suggestions and offers. I’m trying to purchase a boat however it has to make dollars and sense. It’s a decent deal until I add in the transport.

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

Anyone charging less than $3.00 per loaded mile is missing something. Besides the driver pay you have commercial marine cargo insurance which believe me is not cheap. Monthly ELD cost Monthly DOT compliance coast Drug testing. Commercial apportioned plates for the truck. IFTA fuel tax. I can go on and on. Bottom line is that if the price is too cheap something is missing There is a reason that there are two other transporter in havasu that boat companies like DCB and Eliminator will not use because that don't run numbers fixed to the side of there trucks and other things. You get what you pay for

 

[HST4ME]

Anyone charging less than $3.00 per loaded mile is missing something. Besides the driver pay you have commercial marine cargo insurance which believe me is not cheap. Monthly ELD cost Monthly DOT compliance coast Drug testing. Commercial apportioned plates for the truck. IFTA fuel tax. I can go on and on. Bottom line is that if the price is too cheap something is missing

Last year my 1.5 mil policy was 10k, so yeah.

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

Last year my 1.5 mil policy was 10k, so yeah.

I renewed my 5 trucks 4 months ago and it was $212,000 its crazy and people wonder why the rates are what they are

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I’ve been looking into renting a truck to tow it back and make a road trip out of it. Unfortunately it’s impossible to rent a pickup to tow with for a one way. Closest I’ve found was a 12’ U-Haul box truck that gets 12 mpg empty for 1700$

Rent a suburban. Put hitch in your checked bag or buy one when you get there.

 

[Andy B.]

Man, you guys are tough.

This info comes up under her name and phone #.

US DOT 4268005​

Twisted Route Transport Llc​

Appears to have an active and good standing SAFER report if I read it right.

Looks like she possibly rolls or works with a spouse.

Looks like a new company but looks legit.

I would give her a look if I needed something moved.

See I was wrong!!

 

[ToMorrow44]

I’ve been looking into renting a truck to tow it back and make a road trip out of it. Unfortunately it’s impossible to rent a pickup to tow with for a one way. Closest I’ve found was a 12’ U-Haul box truck that gets 12 mpg empty for 1700$

Enterprise truck rental will rent 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with receivers. Usually the mileage is limited and you have to pay for extra miles but worth looking into.

 

[badluck]

Enterprise truck rental will rent 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with receivers. Usually the mileage is limited and you have to pay for extra miles but worth looking into.

I’ll call them tomorrow morning